Because budgeting sucks…but so does being broke.

Nicole lays out a 12-Step Planin which she shares her experiences—mistakes and all—of getting her own finances in order. Money is typically an “off limits” conversation, but nothing is off limits here.

“Let Nicole be the doctor for your financial health and you will feel better in more ways than you’d think.”

DR. MEHMET OZ, Host of the Dr. Oz Show and LISA OZ, Host of the Liza Oz Show

“Nicole’s advice is a swift kick in the pants to the young, ambitious, upstart women out there who want control over their lives, debts, and careers.”

WENDY WILLIAMS, Host of The Wendy Williams Show

“Rich Bitch should be mandatory reading for every young professional woman who wants to take control of her financial destiny. Lapin provides unfiltered, brilliant advice to a generation of women taking aim at their own success and wealth.”

MINDY GROSSMAN, CEO of HSN

“Rich Bitch is essential reading for 21st century women wanting to rise to the top of the economic ladder. Everything that you need to know is in here, all of it said with the wit and confidence we’ve come to expect from Nicole.”

REBECCA TAYLOR, Designer

Synopsis

Do your eyes glaze over just thinking about the mumbo-jumbo language of finance? Do you break out into hives when faced with getting your financial life together? Well, sister, you are not alone. In RICH BITCH, money expert and financial journalist Nicole Lapin lays out a 12-Step Plan in which she shares her experiences—mistakes and all—of getting her own finances in order. She talks to you not like a lecturer but as your friend. And even though money is typically an “off-limits” conversation, nothing is off-limits here.

Lapin rethinks every piece of financial “wisdom” you’ve ever heard and puts her own fresh, modern, sassy spin on it. Sure, there are some hard-and-fast rules about finance, but when it comes to your money, the only person who can tell you how to spend it is you. Should you invest in a 401(k)? Maybe not. Should you splurge on that morning latte? Likely yes.

Instead of focusing on nickel-and-diming yourself, Nicole’s advice focuses on investing in yourself so you don’t have to stress over the little things. But, in order to do that you have to be able to speak the language of money. After all, money is a language like anything else, and the sooner you can join the conversation, the sooner you can live the life you want.

RICH BITCH rehabs whatever bad money habits you might have and provides a plan you can not only sustain, but also thrive on. You won’t feel deprived but rather inspired to go after the rich life you deserve, and confident enough to call yourself a RICH BITCH.

SIX BITCHES WHO ARE ALWAYS BROKE

Are you one of these people, or know someone who is?

Bitches who try to keep up with other bitches. If you always have to have the latest gadget, most expensive clothing label, or nicest home, this one’s for you. You’re driving yourself straight to the poorhouse trying to outspend everyone in your life in order to convince yourself and others that you are making it. Keep it up, and you won’t be.

1. Bitches who don’t have a Spending Plan.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: write it down. Having a mental Spending Plan is about as good as having no plan at all. Jot down every single little thing you spend your money on so you can really get a feel for the bigger picture.

2. Bitches who don’t have a savings (in the, ahem, bank).

You might think you’re making bank, but if you regularly blow your entire paycheck and have no savings to back it up, guess what? You’re back to zero.

We will get to more about how to set up an emergency fund in Step 7, but for now, reframe the way you think about savings as being part of your Spending Plan. Yes, savings is really just spending on your own future well-being.

3. Bitches who don’t pay on time.

Making late payments isn’t just idiotic for the way it impacts your credit score; it also comes with a price tag. Whether it’s your credit card bill, phone bill, utilities, rent—you name it—there is almost always an additional fee for late payment. So now that “low” monthly phone bill of $39.99 is more like $59.99 with the late fee.

Not so much of a great deal anymore, huh? Smart bitches know that being late to the bill-paying party is never fashionable.

4. Bitches who lack ambition.

I will elaborate more in Step 8, but start freeing yourself from the anxiety of saving so much by...making more. Yes, I know, that’s easier said than done, but if you start coming from a place of aspiration instead of desperation, you will change the way you look at your money. Whether it’s finding a job you love, an employer you admire, or a lucrative job on the side, think of making more, not spending less, as your best weapon against going broke.

5. Bitches who are unhappy.

Women joke all the time about retail therapy, but it’s really just a euphemism for overspending. Bitches who are unsatisfied with their careers are more likely to impulse spend to try to fix it, which—of course—only leads to more unhappiness once those bills add up. Whether at work or in your personal life (or better yet, both), find therapy in something else you love to do: reading, running, crafting, whatever! And focus your leisure time on that.

6. Bitches who care too much.

This is a tricky one. You know how I feel about charity work, and I want nothing more than for my bitches to be compassionate members of society. But this becomes a problem when you put others’ needs before your own. The brutal reality is that you need to help yourself financially before you can help others (like they say about the oxygen mask on a plane). So instead of dumping a dis-proportionate amount of your paycheck into your favorite charity (not to mention the scores of emails you likely get from friends and family or your alma mater asking for the same thing), volunteer your time and energy. Spending the day cleaning up a community garden or volunteering at your local animal shelter makes you feel good, has an impact on your community and costs zero dollars.

A Simple, 12-Step Program

Rich Bitch rehabs whatever bad money habits you might have and provides a plan you can not only sustain, but also thrive on. You won’t feel deprived but rather inspired to go after the rich life you deserve, and confident enough to call yourself a Rich Bitch.

“It’s time to get it together—and get it all!”

STEP 1: STOP SMILING AND NODDING – Embrace the Rich Bitch Attitude

STEP 2: HELLO, IT’S A MARATHON AND A SPRINT – Get a Grip on Your Future